Emilien Jacquelin claimed bronze in the men's 12.5km pursuit at Milano Cortina 2026, securing his first individual Olympic medal with a gutsy performance.
The French biathlete finished third in Sunday's pursuit race, delivering a solid shooting performance under pressure to reach the podium. Speaking immediately after the race, Jacquelin expressed satisfaction despite missing out on gold.
"I wanted to take risks today. Too bad about the gold, it will be for next time. I'm very proud," Jacquelin told France Télévisions. His words reflected both ambition and contentment with achieving a significant career milestone at his second Olympic Games.
Breakthrough Individual Medal for Jacquelin
The 29-year-old from Grenoble has long been considered one of France's most talented biathletes, with multiple World Championship medals and World Cup victories to his name. However, an individual Olympic medal had eluded him until Milano Cortina. At PyeongChang 2018, he was too young to make the team, and at Beijing 2022, his best individual result was seventh place in the sprint.
This bronze represents a breakthrough moment in Jacquelin's Olympic journey. Known for his aggressive racing style and willingness to attack even when conditions are challenging, he lived up to that reputation in the pursuit. His comment about wanting to "take risks today" suggests he pushed hard on the range and on the ski tracks, prioritizing an attacking approach over playing it safe.
France's Biathlon Success Continues
Jacquelin's medal adds to France's strong showing in biathlon at these Games. The French team has historically been a powerhouse in the sport, and Milano Cortina is proving no exception. With relay events still to come, France will be looking to add more medals to their tally.
The pursuit format, which sees athletes start based on their time gaps from the sprint race, often produces dramatic racing as the field spreads out over the 12.5km distance. Jacquelin's ability to maintain his position and secure bronze demonstrates both his physical conditioning and mental strength under the unique pressures of Olympic competition.
While gold remains an ambition for future races, Jacquelin can reflect on this bronze as a significant achievement and a platform to build on for the remainder of his career.
